Halloween Happenings

Well between town Halloween festivals, teen parties, church bonfires, and pre-school parties I'm holidayed out before it's even here. Everyone seems to be having fun and I just keep making all the junk disappear when they go to bed.

I've been trying to buy a new treadmill. I've had no luck. After much research Dh decided on a model, and low and behold now it is discontinued. I'm looking again.

I'm also arguing with the insurance company. I suspect they are in cahoots with either the blood pressure medicine cartel or the prozac lobby, because you need on or the other after speaking to them.

It is time for basketball sign ups. Argh, just argh!

For the record, my 5yo is adorable. He's been calling my ma'am. Then he says "How do you like that ma'am stuff ma'am. You like it, huh? huh?

Last question: Who decided six kids, six pumpkins and sharp, pointy implements would be a good idea?

Twenty Years Ago Today

The weather was cold and stormy and my now dh had the flu. I wondered if universal karma was trying to send me a message. It seemed we had not chosen a propitious day for marriage, but here we are. Not bankrupt, not abusive, not having affairs, even sharing a bedroom. Dr. Phil and Oprah would find us unique, LOL. Anyway, Happy Anniversary to us.

Top Five Reasons I'll Keep DH
1) He goes to work everyday so I don't have to.
2) He makes sure I have an ice scraper and candy bars in the glove box come winter.
3) We have good "chemistry".
4) He bought into the 'let's have six kids' logic.
5) He tactfully refrains from pointing out my possibly annoying habits.

Slowing Down?

Why do I always think that things are going to slow down. I guess I've got a flat learning curve on that one. What has been going on? No surprise trips to Europe or anything. L was sick until yesterday when her fever FINALLY went away. Six days of fever is miserable. I did take her to the doctor on Friday. They did a quick strep test, but it was negative. I guess it was just some virulent virus.
Friday night I went camping with the Boy/Cub scouts. It was fine if a bit chilly. The boys have good sleeping bags but I had the Kmart/slumber party number. I slept in about three layers, though, and did ok. I. of course, crept out early and got COFFEE!!!!. How do people camp without coffee. (My addiction is a sad thing.)
Saturday evening we went to a bonfire/cookout/Halloween party. We left L home with E who is far too cool to attend this sort of event anyway. The kids who went had a good time playing football, climbing trees and doing the hayride thing. The weather Saturday was great. That of course ended sometime Sunday morning because by the time I got up it was spitting snow. We went to church and then came home and made a fire, watched football and finally gave Mel her cake. She turned three on Friday but we were too busy that day. I had planned on having people over on Sunday but called them and told them they probably didn't want to come to the House of Illmess. I don't think Mel cared at all. She got cake and presents. That is pretty much all you need when you are three. I didn't get any pictures because my digital camera seems to have died. I'll need to get another one, but I don't know when. I keep thinking that if I just push enough buttons it will work again.
Monday morning C vomited all over his sheets. Not my favorite way to be awakened, so he stayed home from school too. Maybe today will be slower? Yeah, right!

Famdemic!

Famdemic is the word coined by S for the family pandemic we are currently experiencing. I seriously think the last time any of the kids were sick was two years ago. I don't think Mel has ever been sick and she turns three on Friday. They have broken that streak however. Some sort of croupy, fevery beasty is making its way through the house. So far E, S and I have been spared but the others have succumbed. It's nothing serious, but you can't send them to school hacking with a 102 fever. Of course the really scary, seal-like coughing, gasping for air stuff is left for 2am. I really detest sitting in a steamy bathroom, checking their nail beds to see if they are cyanotic. I must have missed that page in the parenting brochure. Otherwise things are fine. The weather has been gray and chilly. Since I've been stuck home I've been keeping a nice fire mulling all day. That along with medicinal doses of chocolate and fiction are keeping me sane. Here's hoping others are faring better.

Finale

We have crossed the sports finish line...at least for autumn. Football concluded last week and the boys enjoyed a lock in on Friday night. No word as to whether the coaches enjoyed it. Elementary cross country was to finish Wednesday, but they called the race for snow. Ack! Saturday included the final soccer games and we finished up with that awards ceremony last night. Sigh--made it. Now I'll breathe before basketball (the sport that never ends) begins.
Saturday I went with the Brownies to a Pumpkin Kingdom. I'm proud to say that my group left the corn maze with the same number of girls that entered. My nerves are still laying in shreds somewhere inside. This coming Friday I am supposed to go with my Cub Scours to a Boy Scout camp out. Let us all now bend our knees and plead that the weather warms up, ALOT! Hopefully now that things are slower I will be able to blog more often, though what there will be to talk about if we actually stay home I don't know.

AUTUMN

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town. 20
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I ’ll put a trinket on.
Emily Dickinson

We had it today. We wait all year for it. We had that one perfect weather day for autumn we get in Indiana. Lots of sports, laughing, leaves, bright cheeked, sweaty children and pumpkin pie for dessert. Now I only have to wait for the next perfect day in, oh, May.

Random Thoughts

I was a bit shocked to hear F from the living room shouting about condoms. Relax, he meant condors-those big ugly buzzards.

I have lately found myself saying things that make me want to bite off my tongue. Things like:
Because I'm your mother, that's why!
Go out and bring back some cash from the money tree and then we'll talk.
When you are 18 you can pierce and tattoo your whole body, until then you're stuck with ball point pen.

These were things my parents would have said. I am just as weird as my parents. Good Grief!

I've been working on weight loss. I like quotations, thus I have collected weight loss quotes. Another sign I'm weird.




" When life hands you lemons - make lemonade ... and then go find someone whose life has thrown them vodka and have a party!" ~unknown

"Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of the pieces." - Judith Viorst

"Never eat more than you can lift." - Miss Piggy

"I don't diet. I just don't eat as much as I'd like to." - Linda Evangalista

" Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart." - Erma Bombeck

"By today's beauty standards, of course, Marilyn Monroe was an oil tanker." - Dave Barry

"I've been on a constant diet for the last two decades. I've lost a total of 789 pounds. By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet." - Erma Bombeck

"Japanese food is very pretty and undoubtedly a suitable cuisine in Japan, which is largely populated by people of below average size. Hostesses hell-bent on serving such food to occidentals would be well advised to supplement it with something more substantial and to keep in mind that almost everybody likes french fries."-Fran Leibowitz

"I don't exercise. If God wanted me to bend over he'd have put diamonds on the floor." - Joan Rivers

"An Englishman teaching an American about food is like the blind leading the one-eyed."-AJ Leibling


"When I buy cookies I eat just four and throw the rest away. But first I spray them with Raid so I won't dig them out of the garbage later. Be careful though, because that Raid really doesn't taste that bad." - Janette Barber

Wonderful Weekly Post

Well, it's weekly, I can't vouch for the wonderful part.

* The high point of the weekend was L scoring her teams two goals at soccer. They won 2-1. The weekend also included Boy Scout events, trips to libraries, movies and another family soccer game.

* I took green grapes to my Sunday School class. I thought it was kind of a pathetic offering but the kids went nuts for them. Don't these kids have fruit at home?

* Tonight is open house at the school. I already know all the teachers so it seems like a waste of time, but they are serving ice cream so the kids want to go.

* Paula asked what I'm doing that is so interesting. I'm not sure interesting is the word, but maybe more useful than computer time. Mel is going to preschool two days/week at the YMCA (the days F goes to kindergarten) so I'm working out and/or doing errands and grocery shopping during that time. I've been really trying to step up the exercise so I'm spending more time on my yoga and taking bike rides hauling the trailer with F and Mel. I'm also working on turning the basement into two separate areas because S has decided he'd like his room to be down there. He has his own room now but he wants to move. I joined a book club at the library. I'm doing some professional continuing education and of course there is still laundry, cooking, etc around here. If I spend 3 (ok, or 4 or 5) hours on the computer the other stuff doesn't get accomplished. I'm trying to keep it to an hour/day. As ds pointed out, I think that's plenty of video time for him. I hate it when they are right.

As Advertised

Sunday we had one of those golden days they would advertise in parenting brochures, if there were parenting brochures. Sun, picnicing, family soccer, and for the kids, swimming in REALLY cold water. We finished up the day with milkshakes for dinner and somehow we managed to make it through without anyone being snarly. The worst thing that happened was F asking to see the tennis ball just as it sailed over and hit him square between the eyes. No harm done though, and he referred to it as a 'battle scar' all day.

I won't be blogging much in the coming weeks. The 'puter sucks up too much time and I have interesting things to do. It seems silly to give that time to a machine....but the pull is strong. I think I know where my kids get their love of video games, I'm just as bad with surfing the net.

The Week in Recap (or why I haven't posted)

Mon-
Take dd to first day of preschool. Discover digital camera has died.
Cross country, football and soccer practice
Empty swimming pool
Wash muddy clothes created by swimming pool
Take dd to dentist

Tues-
Take ds to dentist
Return movies and books to library or just buy them and be done
Soccer practice
Middle School Football game
Buy a huge amount of food to fill up football player

Wed-
Take dd to first preschool field trip
Make note I still need to buy new digital camera
Pay exhorbinant fees to dentist and mechanic
Call washer repair man and beg him to come so I can pay him exhorbinant fees
Read letter describing kindergarten son's poor test results and decide whether to send him to extra kindergarten classes
Find and deliver dd to new dance class since former studio closed (after 9 years, sob)
Buy more food while dd dances to replace food inhaled by the walking stomach, er ds

The rest of the week shapes up pretty much the same. No deep analyzation of the world's problems or even new ways to degrime your sink will be found here.

Out Of Commission

Maybe it was the taxing nature of hanging laundry, but I've been out of commission with migraines and the mist that follows. Honestly, if I'm going to be hung over I wish it was more fun getting that way. Of course there were the trips to football games, soccer games,Sunday school, etc. Oh, the excitement just rolls.

I also exercised great restraint in not becoming embroiled in an internet 'debate'. This is hard for me, because in real life I will argue any point into the ground with anyone. I love to 'debate'. (Fight and argue have been suggested terms for it.) I value these internet aquaintances though, and since making nuances clear in writing is beyond my ability, I stayed out of it. Unfortunately my petty self has conducted the argument in my head. It makes one wonder if I will ever grow up, LOL. Will not! Will too! Will not! Will too!

Slow News Day

So this morning I was in the yard hanging clothes when a guy jumps out of his pickup and asks to take my picture. I 'm thinking, strange laundry fetish? Nope, the county newspaper looking for human interest shots. Ok, I say. I figure somewhere in the county there has to be something more interesting than me hanging laundry. NOPE! Guess whose picture made the front page above the fold. And what does that say about how interesting things are here?


E now tells me she'll have to leave school and slink away to Mexico. What could be more horrifying than your mother on the front page, hanging laundry, and identified no less. Oh the horror!

The Kindness of Strangers

A small town has disadvantages which everyone can list, but there are pluses too. Two of them are 1) you know most people and 2) if they have kids, they'll probably be in some of the activities your kids are. I found a ride last night for L to go to soccer practice and a way for S to get from football practice to Boy Scouts. I needed that help so I could take Mel to the Y for some swim classes. They will normally be while F is at kindergarten and give her something to do. I'm working on my clone, but progress is slow.

Not really anything exciting to report. Life is once again about where the kids have to be when. I know some people just say, don't let them do stuff, but it seems that the only way they get to see other kids is in activities. Other kids seem to stay inside all the time, not allowed to play because their parents are at work or at daycare/activities themselves. Each kid only does one activity but times six it adds up. So....if I whine about all the places I need to be at the same time, either put me on ignore or enjoy the fact you aren't the only one going crazy.

School itself jumped into full swing. Homework on the first night and every night since. I'm glad I went to school in the good old dumb days. Again, I k now you homeschoolers would say just avoid school, but as I said earlier, if I did school they'd read and watch tv all day. Bad mommy. So, on we go, hopefully striking a balance between family, social activities and school. If they all turn out to be ax murderers it's not because we didn't try.

I Rock!

After dental fun yesterday, I again tried to sweep the corners of my kitchen and said "Enough!" I've had the new vinyl for a year but it never got trimmed out. Something else always came up...cars,kids, food, shelter. I couldn't stand it anymore and was tired of waiting on others (dh) sooo.... I went to Lowe's, bought cheap prepainted quarter round and did it myself. In two hours. Don't let guys tell you it's a big deal. I am now Mistress of the Mitersaw. (sounds kinky) and my kitchen and bathroom have trim. It's not gorgeous, exotic, finely carved trim, but it's trim darn it! I might also mention I still had time to make a pot roast. I rock! In other news, sensing that I had spent some money, the bearing on my washing machine went out. How do the appliances know????

Finally

Slow progress but I am glad to announce that I now have ONE child who has all her cavities filled. Why , oh why did they have to inherit my crappy teeth? I feel like I have been living at the dentist. I have been to seven dentist appointments and have three more to go. I'm thinking of just direct depositing dh's paycheck into the dentist's bank account. I'm beginning to think his new pool is being financed by us.

Hodge Podge

Just some thoughts on a steamy Sunday night. I have been reading this Reduced Shakespeare: The Attention Impaired Readers Guide Amusing, yet educational (Great taste-less filling).
I also like these sites. They appeal to my extremely trivial mind. (yes, I can remember the main export of Paraguay, but not a dentist appointment.)
For the Lone Ranger Fan
More Shakespeare Fun
Good Girls Kill For Money And I've actually had e-mail contact with one of the writers.
Finally pics. I never had a girly-girl moment in my life, but my girls seem to be that way anyway. All that was missing from the tea party were the scones and cream.


What happens when you don't securely put away the birthday decorations? She even did a hula rendition.

Cake

Really, all my kids need to be happy for a birthday is cake and some cheesy decorations.

Before the chaos. Note, the beer is not for the kids, lol.


With the cake


Eating

Eight is Great

Happy Birthday L. Today she is eight. What to say about L. She is the child I have the hardest time getting along with. Strong willed really doesn't do her justice. A tantrum can easily last eight (how ironic) hours. She has gone 30 hours without eating rather than pick up a pair of socks. Just a tad hard to deal with. I try to remind myself that when she sets a goal she succeeds. Not to paint too grim of a picture, she is also smart, funny and a leader at school. (Probably because everyone is afraid to tell her no, LOL). She is also a very good sister to Mel, letting her play tea party and reading her stories. I'm sure I will be very proud of her someday, if I don't die from exhaustion first.

She was swimming, and when she saw the camera she immediately struck a pose. It is so L.


The birthday kid always gets to pick meals. Her choices today were homemade cinnamon rolls, chocolate m&m cookies for her class at school and spaghetti and garlic bread with cake for supper. It was a very difficult decision whether we would have cake or pumpkin pie.

Back To School

First day of school here. E got on the bus at 6:45am so she was long gone by the time I thought to take pictures. C and S looked at me like I was nuts and set out across the field to walk to school. Pictures are sooo uncool.

F's first day of kindergarten


F, L and Mel. Baby sister is not happy to lose all her playmates.


The diva enjoying her pool. Perhaps she doesn't miss them as much as she thought she would.

Squeezing In Some Fun

On Sunday we took the kids to the zoo. We would have liked to do something more, but the budget and time constraints kept that from happening. We did have great weather, and we let the littles do pony rides and bought lunch there. Does it say something about our family that eating at the zoo was a big deal? Too many picnics on trips?

Monday L had two fillings done. She has two more to go. We did manage to make it through this appointment. She was the child you most want to disown at the last attempt. Gee, now I just have 3 more appointments this week and two next week. I hope the dentist's family is enjoying the lifestyle I'm providing.

C had soccer practice and E went to a high school swimming party. I am amazed at that kid's social life. She could find friends on a deserted island.

Mel has a croupy cough. How do you get that in August? My allergies are driving me crazy. S has to pick up football equipment today. And so the treadmill of activities begins. I want them to be involved, I really do, but it sure seems to involve me. I'm even the mean mom who makes people ride their bike to practice or walk home when possible, and it still seems to involve me. ~Sigh~